Unlike Apple, Qualcomm embraces Flash

Apple thus far has refused to support Flash on the iPhone, but this week Qualcomm announced that it finally will.

Qualcomm has its own proprietary cell phone platform called BREW (vs. Java, get it?) that is used by Verizon, Alltel, Japan’s KDDI and several other carriers around the world. It differs from other mobile phone platforms in that it includes an integrated business model for third party software vendors, incorporating distribution, fulfillment and payment. Qualcomm made the announcement at its annual developer’s conference.

Clearly BREW lacks the momentum of the iPhone, but with the prior cooperation of many of the industry’s heavyweights, helps Adobe’s ongoing push towards providing a (relatively) seamless cross-platform multimedia delivery platform.